Copyright Santa Rosa Press Democrat
Higher parking rates at meters, lots and garages across downtown Santa Rosa will take effect starting in January. Downtown visitors and workers will pay up to $1 more to park at popular spots along Third and Fourth streets around Old Courthouse Square and in Railroad Square. Those who don’t mind walking a few extra blocks will find nearly 200 new free on-street spaces on the downtown perimeter once meters are removed from select streets. The rate adjustment is expected to generate about $1 million a year to bolster the parking enterprise fund, which has struggled with declining revenues and rising expenses in recent years. City officials say the changes, along with a revamped permit program for workers and residents, are also intended to improve access by encouraging turnover in high-demand areas and steering long-term parkers to surface lots and garages. The proposal was first presented to the Santa Rosa City Council in September and approved Nov. 4. Parking rates currently vary across downtown and between on-street and garage parking, with higher rates in busier areas. Meter rates were last adjusted in 2017, while garage fees were reinstated in 2022 as the city sought to recoup costs after discounted rates during the pandemic. Under the new rates, hourly meter fees will increase from $1 to $1.50 at value meters outside the core business areas and from $1.50 to $2.50 in premium areas and at the Depot Lot in Railroad Square. Rates at surface lots 2, 4 and 7 will rise from $1 to $1.50 per hour, and from $1.50 to $2 at lots 10 and 11 on Fifth Street. The two economy lots beneath Highway 101 in Railroad Square will remain $1 per hour. Garage rates will be standardized at $1 per hour. All meters, lots and garages will remain free Sundays and holidays. Staff plan to remove meters from several areas, including the 600 block of First Street and 900 block of Seventh Street, creating nearly 200 free spaces. The city also will overhaul its monthly permit program after downtown employers and businesses said affordable long-term options were limited. Monthly fees for non-reserved spaces in most garages, now between $62 and $90, will be set at $60. Discounted permits for low-wage earners will cost $25 per month, and the city is expanding that program to allow parking at all city garages. Monthly permits at Garage 5, just east of Old Courthouse Square on Third Street, which has a waitlist, will remain $120. Staff also plan to roll out new options aimed at attracting hybrid workers and a new residential parking permit to address demand from new and future downtown housing. In recent years, the parking division has reduced staffing and delayed capital projects amid a pandemic-driven revenue decline, but proceeds remain insufficient to cover operations and maintenance as use slowly rebounds. As a city enterprise, the division is supposed to be self-sustaining, with parking fees covering the cost of operating and maintaining facilities. The city has instead tapped its general fund to close budget gaps. Parking officials anticipate the higher rates will help stabilize the fund and support security and infrastructure upgrades. Fines also are increasing. Parking citations, which currently range from $35 to $50, will go up by $15. The change is projected to generate an additional $350,600 annually to cover enforcement costs, with any remaining revenue going to the general fund that supports most city operations. You can reach Staff Writer Paulina Pineda at 707-521-5268 or paulina.pineda@pressdemocrat.com. On X (Twitter) @paulinapineda22.
